A Dangerous Debut
Ladies of Mayfair
~ Book Five ~
Wendy May Andrews
∞∞∞
Sparrow Ink
www.sparrowdeck.com
Copyright © 2018 Wendy May Andrews
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced, transmitted, or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
ISBN - 978-1-7750069-2-3
Cover Design by German Creative
www.wendymayandrews.com
Dedication
For my entire family, even the ones who don’t read my books.
Mum and Dad, you are the best cheering section any girl could ask for.
Andrew, the love of my life, you are the best!
And for all my readers.
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to my Beta readers:
Marlene, Suzanne, Monique, and Alfred.
Your input was invaluable.
My editor, Julie Sherwood was an expert,
all remaining errors are my own fault.
And thanks for my gorgeous cover go to German Creative.
Chapter One
“What am I going to do now?” Daisy kept her wail silent as she struggled not to panic.
The door was locked, and there was no sign of movement inside. The early morning sounds of carriages, carts, and people going about their business behind her on the busy street could not penetrate the dark sense of dread she was struggling to control. Daisy was staring morosely at the locked shop door when a voice behind her shoulder nearly made her jump out of her skin. She was surprised she hadn’t noticed his approach reflected in the gleaming glass of Miss Holstein’s shop window, since she had been staring at it so intensely.
“Is aught amiss, ma’am?” the cultured voice slurred, stirring Daisy’s amusement, despite the terrifying dilemma she faced.
When she turned to answer, her usually glib tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. The wellborn man’s handsome face stole her breath. His golden brown hair was dishevelled, as though he had been running his hands through the waves repeatedly throughout the long night. His light gray eyes were fringed with long dark lashes. If he were not so ruggedly handsome, they would have looked feminine. But his strong physique declared him an outdoorsman of some note, and no one would ever confuse him with a woman. She realized her confused blinking probably made her look like a simpleton, but she could barely marshal her thoughts into order, they were so scattered.
Seeing the concern forming in his eyes despite the air of ennui about him that declared he rarely cared about anything, Daisy pulled herself together enough to remember his question.
“Thank you, my lord, I shall be perfectly fine.” Daisy realized her tone sounded repressive and prim, but she couldn’t help herself.
“You do not seem perfectly fine.” The handsome gentleman’s observation sounded vague. The emphasis on “seem” implying that even though he was bosky, it was apparent even to him that all was not right with Daisy.
Daisy was now beginning to find his presence irritating and could easily see past his remarkable good looks. With her tongue no longer stuck to the roof of her mouth, she was able to make use of it. “I truly am not in need of any help from you, my lord,” she began, not bothering to mask her disdain. “You may carry on with your own business without concerning yourself about mine.”
Daisy’s sunny disposition usually prevented her from being snide, but she felt her nose wrinkling as she observed the young man before her. His clothes declared he was a member of the Corinthian set, verging toward being a dandy. It was obvious he was a wealthy nobleman, perhaps even an aristocrat. That thought made her lip curl just a little with feelings of scorn. The air of authority with which he held himself, despite the fact he had drunk too much the night before, declared his position loudly without his uttering a word.
Her resentment began to rise despite her knowledge that it was irrational. She really ought not to be so judgemental. Under normal circumstances, she tried to be an open minded individual, but truly, aristocratic “gentlemen” are all the same, she thought with an audible sniff, just as her father had always told her.
~~~
Jasper James Seaton, fifth Viscount of Hawthorn, heir to the Marquis of Abernathy, pulled his muddled thoughts together. Who does this ridiculous young woman think she is? he asked himself rather absently as he wondered why he was allowing it to bother him.
He wasn’t sure what had so captured his attention about the waif-like young woman. While her attire bespoke her straightened circumstances, she had an air about her that drew him. She held herself with a sense of self-possession. The young ladies he was accustomed to would be throwing themselves at his feet were he to show them any attention, while this young woman was making every attempt to dismiss him. Perhaps that was what intrigued him the most.
Jasper cursed the last couple of glasses of his friend’s excellent port as he tried to keep his attention focused. He could normally drink like a fish, but he was feeling the effects this morning. He squinted at the girl before him. She was pretty enough, with her wide, perfectly spaced blue eyes and the burnished gold curls peeking out of her bonnet, but he was used to the attentions of the very diamonds of Society, so he rather doubted that it was her looks that had snagged his attention. He gave up trying to figure it out and just put it down to intuition.
All he wanted to do was help the girl, but if she didn’t want his help he really ought not to force it upon her. Despite that resolve, he could not resist trying one last time.
“Now see here, miss, as a gentleman I really cannot leave you on your own in obvious distress.”
~~~
Daisy could hear from his voice that the handsome lord was sobering up. There was nothing he could possibly do to help her, but she was not above the temptation to lay her troubles on someone else’s shoulders for a moment. She struggled against the temptation. There was no one to help her but herself. Certainly there was nothing this drink-addled young nobleman could do. She smiled her appreciation at the gentleman but was about to deny him once more.
Her intentions must have been clearly written upon her face because his lordship interrupted her before she had a chance to speak.
“Pardon my manners, miss, I can clearly see that you were staring quite intently at the sign on the door of Miss Holstein’s Employment Services. Since it would appear that Miss Holstein is not available to offer her services today, perhaps I might be able to help you, or rather, we might be able to come to some sort of agreement that could be of assistance to each other.”
Daisy’s sharp gaze came to rest searchingly upon the gentleman’s face. Her indignant suspicions must have been etched upon her features for the nobleman quickly added, “Perhaps you would accompany me around the corner to Gunter’s, and we could discuss our options over one of his ices.”
It was impossible to imagine anyone making inappropriate advances in such an environment, at least in Daisy’s limited experience, so she relaxed ever so slightly upon hearing these words. She suspected that had been his intention. It must have been obvious that her determination was wavering, as he persisted in his wheedling.
&nb
sp; “If you do not wish to help me with my dilemma, after you have eaten your ice you can always return here and wait for Miss Holstein. It is unlikely that accompanying me for a few minutes will set you back any in your efforts.”
Daisy could not deny the truth of his words. The employment office looked well and truly closed for the day. And one of Gunter’s famous ices would be so comforting right now, she could not help thinking. Before she realized their intention, her traitorous lips had formed into a smile of acceptance. She tried to frown her face into compliance, but the gentleman had already assumed her acquiescence and was offering his elbow. Daisy managed one more objection before she would accompany him.
“But, my lord, I do not even know you,” she protested even as she took his offered arm. Seeing the look upon his face, Daisy giggled and offered an apology. “I am so sorry, my lord. Have I just offered you an unspeakable insult by not knowing who you are?”
Daisy wondered if it was the first time in his adult life that a young woman had not known who he was. It did not look as though he would ever admit as much. He simply ignored her question. “I pray you will forgive my poor manners, miss, I am Lord Jasper Seaton, Viscount of Hawthorn, at your service.” He executed a remarkably steady bow and elegant leg before raising an inquisitive eyebrow at her. “And who might you be?”
Feeling a flush rising in her cheeks, suddenly feeling shy, Daisy struggled to maintain as much composure over her features as possible. “I am Miss Margaret Pembroke, but everyone calls me Daisy.”
“Ah, there must be someone French in your family if that is the case, Miss Daisy,” the viscount surmised.
“How could you possibly know that? No one ever guesses.”
“Marguerite, eye of the day, the sunniest flower to bless the earth,” he declared with all the aplomb of a professor before adding with a grin, “My mother’s gardener is an eloquent man.”
A genuine smile stretched across Daisy’s face for the first time since she had been accosted by the viscount. She could not, however, identify the strange look that crossed the gentleman’s face. Her breath caught in her throat; she thought it could be admiration, but she dismissed the wayward idea as foolish nonsense.
Smiling shyly, Daisy was surprised at how quickly her opinion of the viscount had changed, despite all that her father had always said of the aristocracy. His lordship had seemed like an intoxicated idiot moments earlier. Now she was feeling a trifle more relaxed in his company. And she really would enjoy the refreshment of an ice before she figured out her personal dilemma.
While it was kind of the nobleman to offer her assistance, she really could not see how it would be possible. Unless he has young children in need of a governess. She turned to examine him speculatively. He seemed a little young. She had a hard time imagining him as a proud papa, but it was a possibility, she reasoned, otherwise why would he have been outside the employment office? But then she remembered the obvious evidence of his drinking. Despite her unfavorable experience with noblemen, she strongly doubted they would go looking to hire household staff after having been carousing. But her unfortunate experience did tell her that it was impossible to predict what a nobleman would do. She resolved to hear what the man had to say and reserve judgment for later. Loving to look on the bright side, she reasoned that she would at least get an ice out of the conversation.
“What are you thinking, Miss Daisy? You have the most interesting face, but I cannot fathom what is going through your head.”
Daisy allowed a good natured giggle to spill from her mouth. “I was thinking, my lord, that I have never had a chance to visit Gunter’s on the arm of a viscount, and I am anticipating that it will be a singular experience.”
Jasper grinned along with her. “Have you ever been to Gunter’s before?”
“When I was a little girl,” Daisy answered without looking at him, continuing to gaze about as though she had never seen the neighborhood they were passing through.
“Do you live in London, Miss Daisy?” Jasper tried again to draw her into conversation.
“Not exactly, my lord,” she replied.
“What is that supposed to mean?” he asked, allowing his frustration to come through in his tone.
Daisy looked at the nobleman beside her with surprise. “Pardon me, my lord, I was not attending. I was distracted by looking at all the charming houses. I have not been in this part of London for many years and am quite enjoying the view. But you are quite correct; it is intolerably rude of me to not attend you, as you have been kind enough to invite me for a treat. My mother would have apoplexy if she were to witness such behavior. What were you asking me?”
~~~
Jasper frowned as he took in her grin, wondering what was going on in her pretty head. It appeared as though her feelings changed with every gust of wind. Just a few moments earlier he clearly read suspicion written all over her face, but now she was gazing about, seemingly without a care in the world. He was still feeling the effects of too much whiskey and port, had in fact been on his way home when he walked by her, so he had allowed his thoughts to come out of his mouth.
Jasper gazed in wonder at the woman by his side. He tried not to be an overbearing buffoon, but it had never happened to him that a young lady did not hang upon his every word, at least not since he had been let out of the schoolroom. He couldn’t help the grin that split his face over the novel experience.
“No need to apologize, my dear. I was merely trying to make conversation. I had asked you where you live,” he reminded her.
He watched in fascination as her cheeks suffused with colour. Why would she be blushing over his efforts at conversation? It should be an innocuous question, but it was one that caused her consternation. “I am staying with a friend in Bloomsbury, my lord. I am currently without a permanent address,” she answered him with as much dignity as she could muster, but then her natural optimism buoyed her and she smiled. “It is a charming little house, and I am delighted to be staying with her, although I really do need to make arrangements for myself as quickly as possible.”
“You are fortunate to have such a friend.” Jasper could not help replying stiffly, wondering if any of his friends would house him if he ever was truly down on his luck.
“I am, my lord. I do realize that. But of course, I am hoping to not overstay my welcome, which was why you found me standing in front of Miss Holstein’s establishment. That fine woman has already arranged a situation for me, but unfortunately, that did not work out so well, so I was hoping some other arrangements could be made.”
“What kind of work are you looking for?” the viscount asked, puzzled.
“My first position was one of governess. It would be ideal if I could find another. I could also be a lady’s companion. If neither of those positions are available, I have the necessary skills to be a housekeeper.” A note of pride in her tone belied the worry that was also there.
The viscount cleared his throat in discomfort. “Pardon me for asking such an indelicate question, miss, but why are you searching for a position? It is clear to me that you are gently born. Why are you not getting married and arranging a more secure position for yourself?”
Daisy grinned at the viscount’s choice of words. “That is not as easily done as said, my lord. One cannot snap one’s fingers and have a groom appear before her eyes.” She then looked at Jasper with widened, twinkling eyes. “Or do you have that ability, my lord? It would be wondrous if you did.”
Jasper returned her grin. “Alas, not so easily, but it probably isn’t all that hard, is it?”
Daisy did not wish to dwell upon how impossible what he suggested really was so she merely shrugged and smiled. “Never mind, my lord, you need not trouble yourself with my problems.”
By this time they had reached Berkley Square, and the viscount ushered her into Gunter’s. Daisy struggled to contain her glee over the proffered treat as she sniffed the sweet air appreciatively. Looking around at the well-dressed patrons, she was glad
she had worn her best dress for the expected interview with Miss Holstein. Her eyes darted about the room, barely taking in the details, overwhelming her with the air of decadence that permeated the room. It was nothing less than sumptuous from the chandeliers hanging above, down to the fancy shoes worn by the ladies seated on the velvet-covered chairs. Part of her wanted to run from the shop and never look back, but she was so close to tasting a cream ice once more that she could not bring her feet to turn away.
As she gazed about, it seemed to Daisy that everyone in the room was nobly born. She tried to dismiss from her mind the thought that she was not supposed to be there. She lifted her chin, refusing to be cowed by anyone looking down their noses at her. She reminded herself that the viscount had invited her, and he wasn’t put out by her apparent less than noble heritage. Stiffening her spine, she called to mind her parents’ often-stated opinion that aristocracy is nothing but an accident of birth and certainly did not make these people any better than her. In fact, as her father would often mutter when her mother was out of earshot, it often made them far worse than average folks.
“What do you think you would like to have, Miss Daisy?” the viscount asked solicitously.
Shaking her head to rid it of her uncomfortable thoughts and stiffening her spine further, Daisy dithered another moment before making her selection. They were soon seated in the high-backed, comfortable seats and she was daintily picking at the treat. Grinning once more at the viscount, she expressed her appreciation. “Thank you ever so much, my lord. I had no idea I was wishing for just such a treat.”
“It is my pleasure, my dear. It does a heart good to see someone as easily pleased as you seem to be. I find it difficult to fathom how utterly sunny your disposition appears to be.”
A Dangerous Debut: A Sweet Regency Romance (Ladies of Mayfair Book 5) Page 1